How to Backup Applications & Software
Backing up computer data is the easiest thing you can do to save yourself from future headaches that are almost guaranteed to happen sooner or later. Backing up your personal files is vitally important because lost data is often impossible to recreate. However, you also want to back up your applications and software to potentially save yourself money and time.
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Instructions
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Find the original application. It could be on a CD or it could have been downloaded to a hard drive. Often the original downloaded programs are lost after the program is installed. Search for these program files or re-download them if you can.
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Copy the files onto a CD. Don't use a re-writable CD as those will degrade faster. You can use Windows Explorer or a more powerful program like Nero to make copies of CDs. Clearly label each CD with the software you've copied on it.
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Find a copy of the software license number. Many higher end and more expensive software programs require that a license number be entered during or after installation. Make sure you find these numbers and make several copies. Keep one copy with the backed up software.
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Get individual files. Many programs save information that is entered from the user. Internet Explorer, for example, saves your favorite websites in a folder called "Favorites." Make sure you back up these files. You may need to go to a menu and look for an export or backup option to save these information files. Each program is different. You should back these files up on a regular basis.
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References
- Henry Amon; Information Systems Specialist; Salisbury, Maryland
